Background to Impetus investment

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS pose significant issues for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities because of language, cultural barriers and poor access to traditional health services.  The impetus for our involvement was to not only help NPL provide support to a greater number of sufferers amongst the BME communities but also work with them to reduce the incidence of STDs through prevention especially amongst teenagers.

Key objectives agreed with Impetus (2005-2009)

To be the largest & most effective BME sexual health charity in the UK by:

• Significantly increasing the scope of existing support and prevention services within existing target communities, prioritising young adults (20 to 30 years old) more widely across London.
• Developing a specific teenage/school youth project to train and support BME teenage sexual health peer educators in London
• Increasing the income base by 40%
• Increasing the number of support users served twofold and prevention users by 50%
• Creating a credible national policy and best practice voice on BME sexual health issues

Key achievements to date

• Completion of teen peer education pilot programme in six schools and colleges across London
• 79% increase in the number of people helped through support groups from 250 to 447 Leading a consortium to deliver HIV/Aids and sexual health support for minority ethnic communities in three London boroughs
• Strengthening of the senior management team through leadership development work